HC Deb 22 June 1926 vol 197 cc244-5
50. Miss LAWRENCE

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the last meeting of Lord Meston's Committee on Exchequer grants was held; whether the chairman's draft Report has yet been considered by the Committee; whether any day for a further meeting has been fixed; and whether he proposes to take any steps to secure the early completion of the business entrusted to it?

Mr. CHURCHILL

The last meeting of the Committee was held on the 6th March, 1923. No arrangements have been made for a further meeting. I have, of course, no power to compel the chairman to summon a meeting of the Committee.

Miss LAWRENCE

May I ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he remembers that in March of this year he expressed the opinion that this Committee would shortly be called together, and has he seen any reason to alter that opinion?

Mr. CHURCHILL

I am always reluctant to say in regard to any transaction that a stage has been reached when hope should be definitely and finally abandoned.

Miss LAWRENCE

Has any communication been made on the part of the Government to the chairman which might account for the unparalleled delay in this matter?

Mr. CHURCHILL

I have made several communications, and, as I have stated to the House, the Chairman has prepared a draft Report. It is a very comprehensive and able document, and the publication of that Report at present rests solely on the authority of the Chairman, who is now engaged in taking steps to ascertain what modification his Committee would wish to make in it when called together, and when they will be able to report. I have no power to hurry that process. Meanwhile, the subject of this inquiry is not remaining in a stationary position; on the contrary, we are pressing forward ourselves with all the information that is contained in the draft Report and a great deal of other information which we have obtained, and we are making an examination of the general relations between block grants and percentage grants.

Miss LAWRENCE

In view of the highly unsatisfactory nature of that answer. I shall take the earliest opportunity of raising this question.

Mr. SPEAKER

We had better not anticipate.